Electric vehicle reviews, news, and analysis

Watch a 2019 Hyundai Kona EV charge at up to 70 kW

Thanks to YouTube vlogger Bjorn Nyland we now have a time lapse video of the new 2019 Hyundai Kona EV charging at full capability on a 175 kilowatt DC charger in Europe.

The small SUV, similar to the dimensions of a Chevrolet Bolt EV, has previously been described by Hyundai as being able to charge its 64 kWh battery to 80 percent full in 54 minutes when connected to a 100 kW CCS charger although sometimes this is incorrectly described in the media as offering a rate of up to 100 kW.

As important as the peak charge power is, its also important to know when and how the car ramps down its charge rate as the battery fills. The Kona EV can reportedly draw up to 200 amps initially which allows it to begin charging at its peak power of 68 to 70 kW even when nearly empty.

As can be seen in the video, the car draws about 69 kW until the battery reaches 57 percent full. It then quickly drops down to 57 kW until it reaches about 72 percent full. Another quick drop follows down to 37 kW until 78 percent full and then 25 kW up until 92 percent. After that point, the power gradually ramps down to 10 kW up until 98 percent full. A final gradual ramp down to 5 kW takes the battery to 100 percent full.

These quick drops in charging power are similar in behavior to the 60 kWh Chevrolet Bolt EV although the Bolt’s ramp downs begin slightly earlier during charging and its power draw is substantially lower. As seen recently on a July 17 Electric Revs video, the Bolt begins charging at 51 kW and gradually increases to 55 kW until the battery fills to 54 percent (versus 69 kW until 57 percent on the Kona).

That means the Kona is drawing about 30 percent more power. After that first ramp down in both cars, the Kona’s charge rate holds up better since its 57 kW rate is 46 percent higher than the Bolt’s 39 kW. After the next ramp down the Kona falls to 37 kW while the Bolt is down to 24 kW so the Kona’s power is 54 percent higher.

The Kona EV has recently begun production in South Korea with deliveries starting there and in parts of Europe like Norway. Sales in North America are expected to begin soon and pre-orders are already being accepted by Hyundai Canada.

3 replies

Thanks for the write up Jeff! I sort of thought I heard the Kona was 69 kW max charging rate, but wasn’t totally sure.
I wonder when we’ll see the first ~250 mile EV that can charge at ~100 kW and cost around $30k.

The Kia Soul EV allegedly can also charge at these higher rates, demonstrated by someone using the first Electrify America charger in Chicopee, MA. Would love to see a Soul EV charger on the new Chargepoint charger in Campbell.